GM steps up with airbag recall
If someone asked you what it would take for embattled General Motors to get back into the good graces of customers after their years-long recall battle, it’s likely the last thing that would come to mind is: “another recall.” But that may be exactly the lever GM needs to begin to regain its reputation. Recently, the Associated Press announced General Motors would recall more than four million vehicles, most made in the United States, in order to fix a defective airbag that has already killed at least one person and injured three others. The impacted models were manufactured under the Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac brands in model years 2014–17. While specific affected owners will receive notification directly from GM, the widespread announcement is exactly the opposite tack GM tried with the faulty ignition switch debacle several years back that not only claimed dozens of lives but also drastically damaged GM’s reputation among the American car-buying public. The description of the problem might be a bit technical for average drivers. As described by the Associated Press: “The company said Friday that in rare cases, the car’s sensing and diagnostic module — a tiny computer that senses what the vehicle is doing and controls airbag deployment — can go into test mode. If that happens, the front air bags won’t inflate in a crash and the seat belt pretensioners may not tighten up around occupants to help prevent injuries…”